FeedManiac Monday: Banned Books Week: Some Info About Challenged Books
September 29, 2009 in Blume, Judy, Chapter Books, Elementary Educators, Hopkins, Ellen, Maniac Mondays, Silverstein, Shel, Young Adult Novels Tags: American Library Association, Banned Book Week, Challenged and Banned Books, Ellen Hopkins, Judy Blume, maniac monday
Why would Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic be pictured on a post that talks about challenged and banned books? Because believe it or not, it is on the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990 to 1999. Are you racking your brain, like I was when I saw the list, trying to figure out which poem offended that many people to challenge whether or not this book should be on the shelf for kids? What about these?
Seriously??????
OR
The American Library Association’s website has a great section on what it means for a book to be banned or challenged. Here’s the difference between being banned and challenged: “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.” Check out the ALA’s information and lists on their site. But watch out–you could spend hours, and it might make you angrier and angrier as you explore.
If you follow young adult author, Ellen Hopkins, on Twitter or Facebook, then you know that recently she has experienced her own book banning in Norman, OK. Hopkins writes realistic and wonderful books about what happens when teenagers make poor choices in books such as Crank and Glass. Hopkins was supposed to speak at the schools; but one woman protested against her, and the superintendent ruled with the one woman. She did go to Oklahoma, and she spoke in a Baptist church to parents, teachers, and students. To read more about Ellen Hopkins’s experience in her own words, check out her blog.
To see lesson plans and discussions to go along with Crank, check out my blog post from last year.
Here’s the deal: you can ban your own children from whatever books you want. As a matter of fact, you should know what your children are reading. If you don’t think your child is ready for a book like Crank, then that’s fine. Don’t let them read it. But there are 100 kids the same age who are ready and who need to read the book. Just like in the 1990s when there were girls who needed to read, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. Unless someone is doing something illegal, it is not your business what my child is reading or what my child is watching on TV or what my child and I discuss. Banned Books Week would not be around if we would all just mind our own business.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I agree, Margo!
While I think some books are inappropriate to be taught in the classroom for various reasons, that is not to say that the book should be removed from the school library. Sometimes, I believe, teachers choose books for their “shock value” rather than considering their literary and personal benefits for the students. In those instances, they are inviting trouble, either purposely or carelessly.
BUT–when we get into book-banning, we are also inviting trouble in many forms. It boils down to parental responsibility and solid education that begins at home.
BTW, Shel Silverstein was a favorite of one of my sons–and I enjoyed him, too!
September 29th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, Judy. I agree that teachers teaching books is different than teachers offering books to students or libraries having them on their shelves. Thanks for your thoughtful comments! Margo
September 30th, 2009 at 3:33 am
I am against challenging or banning a book from inclusion in a school or public library. That said, I think there are times when curriculum must be protested. There are two instances that come to mind. In my children’s former public school system, one English teacher wanted to teach “Beloved” to high school freshmen. Now, I will be the first to admit that some kids that age would read it and love it. At the time I was working for the school district in the curriculum office. I don’t remember all the details now as it was some years ago, but I was given the book to read. I found it very objectionable for kids that age and was quite sure I would not want my own fourteen year old to read the book. I gave the book to the school superintendent at the suggestion of my boss. She also read it and it was pulled from the curriculum. I have teenaged children myself now (at the time, they were quite small). I now know I’d have a problem with my kids reading it at that age.
The other book was “Where the Heart Is”. A sixth grade teacher wanted to have her class read this book. I had just read it, called her and expressed my concerns. The fact is, she hadn’t read the novel and was unaware of the pedophile and rapes in the book. She pulled that book from her reading list as well. Twelve year olds should not HAVE to read that book.
Like I said, both of these were a while back, but I can’t say that I would change anything. The books were still in the school and public libraries, available to anyone who had a library card to use. But they weren’t required reading at too early an age. I personally think that’s a good thing.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Kim,
Well said. I agree again that some books are better on the library or teacher’s shelf, and some books are better for the curriculum. There’s a big difference. To me, what you and Judy are talking about is not book banning, it’s curriculum choices. And in that case, teachers do need to choose with care and consider the many children in their classes because these books will be discussed out loud. And for goodness sakes, ALL TEACHERS MUST READ THE BOOKS they are going to teach or read aloud!
My beef is more with people, like the woman in Norman OK and Ellen Hopkins, who decided Ellen couldn’t even speak to the children like she was promoting taking drugs or something instead of her actual message. If my stepson was a teenager or I thought he was hanging around with a crowd who did drugs, I would want him to read Crank or Glass–because I can’t imagine children reading that book and thinking the main characters’ life is any better.
Again, I am so appreciative of your great and thoughtful comments on the subject.
Margo